Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Shawl in Plymouth Yarn Cashmere De Cotone

What is Being Made

This is a triangular shawl knitted from Plymouth Yarn Cashmere de Cotone yarn in Coral colorway. The finished shawl measures approximately 66 inches across the wingspan and 28½ inches in depth after blocking, making it a generous wrap suitable for layering or draping across the shoulders.

Knitting Techniques Used

The shawl employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques that create both structural integrity and visual interest. The design features top-down construction, beginning with a small cast-on and expanding outward through strategic yarn overs and decreases. Yarn overs are used throughout to create the characteristic lace openings that define the pattern. Slip stitches are incorporated to manage stitch markers cleanly as the pattern sections are worked. The shawl is worked on circular needles in the round, which allows for easy stitch management across the increasing width of the garment.

Blocking is an essential finishing technique for this project, as the gauge measurement is specifically taken after blocking. This process opens up the lace pattern and establishes the final dimensions of the finished shawl.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The primary stitch pattern is the Tracery Pattern, a repeating 8-row motif worked over a multiple of 12 stitches plus 1. This pattern combines knit and purl stitches with yarn overs and decreases to create an elegant lace design.

• Knit stitch (k): The foundation stitch used throughout
• Purl stitch (p): Creates textural contrast and defines the edging borders
• Yarn over (yo): Creates the decorative openings characteristic of lace knitting
• Knit two together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used to balance yarn overs
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk): A left-leaning decrease that pairs with k2tog for balanced decreases
• Purl two together (p2tog): Used in the purl rows of the pattern
• Stockinette stitch (st st): The base fabric used to measure gauge

The Tracery Pattern is available in both charted and written instruction formats. When working from the chart, right-side rows are worked from right to left, while wrong-side rows are worked from left to right. The red-sectioned area of the chart is repeated twice on every row, allowing crafters to follow either visual or written directions based on personal preference.

Materials and Tools

The shawl requires 7 balls of Plymouth Yarn Cashmere de Cotone, each weighing 50 grams, in the Coral colorway. This yarn blend combines cashmere and cotton fibers, offering both softness and breathability—ideal properties for a shawl worn close to the skin.

Needles and notions include a US Size 6 (4mm) circular needle in either 32-inch or 40-inch length, depending on the crafter's preference for managing stitches. Two stitch markers are required to denote the pattern sections and manage increases throughout the construction.

The gauge is 20 stitches and 26 rows to 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US Size 6 (4mm) needles after blocking. Achieving proper gauge is critical for obtaining the correct finished dimensions and ensuring the lace pattern opens appropriately during blocking.

Pattern Format and Difficulty

This is an intermediate-level knitting pattern (Pattern No. 2991) available as a downloadable PDF. The intermediate classification reflects the combination of lace techniques, chart reading, and shaping increases required. Knitters should be comfortable with yarn overs, multiple decrease types, and working from both written and charted instructions before beginning this project.